6 Ideas for a Rainy Spring Day in Tyneside

With spring in full swing, sun worshippers across the UK are getting excited about the warmer months ahead - but while we’re hopeful for sun, when it comes to British weather, it pays to be prepared! Luckily for us, Tyneside is packed full of fun places to visit if the heavens open up and you need to head indoors. Today, we’ll be taking you through some of the best things to do in Newcastle this spring - if the weather fails to play ball.

1. Grab a bite to eat

Who said comfort food is just for winter? Personally, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a rainy spring day than filling up on good food in great company. Whether you’re heading Underground to escape the rain in central Newcastle or delving into a delightful burger at our original restaurant in Jesmond, tucking into one of our award-winning patties is a great way to spend the day - no matter the weather. If your burger obsession borders on ridiculous, make sure you sign up to The Herd so you can stay on top of the latest deals and news coming out of the Fat Hippo this spring.

2. Take a trip to the coast

If showers seem certain, why not head down to the gorgeous Tyneside coast to see some aquatic creatures? While we’re not suggesting you head into the notoriously cold North Sea, the Blue Reef Aquarium in Tynemouth offers a chance to see some of your favourite animals up close and personal - including a number of friendly seals! Home to an amazing variety of starfish, monkeys and even iguanas, a visit here means you can step out of the rain and into a world of aquatic wonder.

3. Soak up some art

If clouds loom on the horizon and you’re keen to not be caught out, taking a trip to one of Newcastle’s prestigious art galleries might be the perfect way to spend your day. The BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art sits proudly on the Tyne and has become synonymous with the NewcastleGateshead art scene and the famous city skyline. Taking centre-stage this spring are exhibitions from Canadian avant-garde artist Rodney Graham and British-born Holly Hendry. There’s also a chance to see the furthest inland kittiwake colony in the world via the kittiwake cam on display in their Level 2 Quay Gallery - and you might even spot some of their newborn chicks if you visit later in the year!

4. Meander around an award-winning museum

If you’re looking for an education but art doesn’t appeal, Newcastle is blessed with a number of award-winning museums. With exhibitions covering everything from dinosaurs to ancient history and astronomy, there’s something here for everyone this spring. An incubator of groundbreaking scientific research and one of the most instantly recognisable buildings in Newcastle, the Centre for Life has a plethora of activities to take your mind away from the weather - including a Planetarium, live science shows and even a 4D Motion Ride to take your visit to the next level.

5. Peruse the splendid selection of shops

Newcastle is famous for its glitz and glamour, so you’ll never be short of places to shop across Tyneside. Just across the river in Newcastle’s sister town, Gateshead is home to intu Metro Centre, an enormous shopping centre home to more than 340 shops and holder of the accolade of largest shopping and leisure centre in the UK. Cross over the Tyne back into Newcastle and you’ll find an assortment of big-brand shops residing on Northumberland Street, or head indoors to Eldon Square where you’ll find plenty of excuses to splash out.

6. Test out your bowling skills

If you have a competitive streak, why not go old school and test out your bowling skills? A relative newcomer to the city scene, Lane7 combines a cool rustic aesthetic with 10 lanes and 2 bars - and with an adults-only policy after 7pm, the alleys here are the perfect place to spend an evening working off that burger with friends! Other activities on offer include karaoke, mini-golf, pool and even beer pong - so there’s more than enough to do here if you’re not in the mood to bowl.

As hardy northerners, we’re notorious for not letting the weather ruin our day - and with so many inside activities open to us this spring, we won’t let the rain get the better of our plans. From the creative art hubs across the city to our cultural hotspots and splendid selection of shops, a rainy spring day in Tyneside has never looked so fun.

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